Sprint has announced what it claims is the first Pocket PC phone in the US to run Microsoft's new Windows Mobile 5.0 software platform. The Sprint PPC-6700 is a CDMA handset with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard plus a 1.3 Mpixel camera and EV-DO, WiFi, and Bluetooth capabilities.
The PPC-6700 is rumored to be manufactured by Taiwanese ODM (original device manufacturer) HTC, based on that company's Apache reference platform. It's powered by a 416 MHz Intel XScale PXA270 embedded processor and reportedly comes equipped with 64 MB of RAM and 128 MB of Flash memory. It features a unique, sliding QWERTY keyboard that opens from the side and automatically changes orientation from portrait to landscape viewing mode. The device also boasts a 1.3 Mpixel camera with built-in flash, digital zoom, and camcorder functionality.
The PPC-6700 supports the Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) high-speed wireless data protocol with claimed average download speeds of 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2.0 Mbps. In areas that don't yet have EV-DO service, the handset falls back to 1XRTT throughput rates. WiFi and Bluetooth wireless are also built in.
The PPC-6700 is one of the first Pocket PC phones to feature Windows Mobile 5.0. Its application Software includes updated version of Office applications including Outlook Mobile and the new PowerPoint Mobile. Sprint says the PPC-6700 also supports Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync for over-the-air synchronization of email and calendar information with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003.
"We believe the PPC-6700 really is the next-generation mobile device," said Philip Christopher, president of UTStarcom Personal Communications. "Built with business applications in mind, the sliding keyboard and advanced data capabilities are just two of the many features, which when paired with Sprint's advanced wireless service, are designed to enable professionals to virtually carry office capabilities in their pocket."
Availability
The PPC-6700, marketed by UT Starcom Personal Communications, will be available next week through Sprint's business and sales channels for $629.99 "before discounts and promotions," the company says. The device will be offered nationwide in Sprint Stores and online later this year.
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